Orlando, Florida-based Westgate Resorts has named 20-year company veteran Jared Saft as chief operating officer, according to a news release. 

Saft succeeds Mitch Less, who is entering into a new executive role at parent company Central Florida Investments, where he will continue to provide strategic guidance, per the release. 

Longtime executive Saft has held a number of leadership roles across the company’s finance, operations and sales and marketing divisions, per the release. Most recently, he served as Westgate’s chief business and strategy officer, per LinkedIn.

Saft played a “key role” in the addition of VI Resorts, which expanded Westgate’s resort count to nearly 60, according to the release, as a result of acquiring Bellevue, Washington-based Vacation Ownership Sales last February. He also spearheaded Westgate’s strategic partnership with Choice Hotels International in January 2025, which added 21 properties under Choice’s reservation system.

As COO, Saft will guide the strategic direction and management of Westgate’s primary expansion projects, as well as oversee companywide resort and business operations, according to the release. 

He currently serves as chair-elect of the American Resort Development Association, with plans to become chair of the Washington, D.C.-based trade association in May, per the release.

Westgate CEO Jim Gissy said in a statement that Saft’s “deep institutional knowledge, operational expertise, and ability to connect with team members across the organization make him uniquely qualified to step into this role.”

Saft’s appointment comes at a “period of significant expansion” for the resort company, including international growth into Canada and Mexico, a strategic partnership with Chuck E. Cheese and the addition of new amenities such as the Mystery Fun House Arcade Experience and River Country Water Park, per the release.